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(Ask about Activity options)
The day begins with ALL of the participating classes assembled to experience the slide presentation: THE MISSOURI RIVER BY CANOE (see program description below). This slide presentation is about 45 minutes in length with time at the end for audience questions.
After the slides, Les will visit each classroom with ‘hands-on’ activities for the students. Les will spend nearly 2 hours with each class (or group) of up to 30 students each. Students will be divided into small groups to work on the activities.
Activities reflect knowledge and skills that members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition needed in order to carry out their mission. All activities can be done indoors or outdoors. Weather (and temperature) permitting, outdoors is preferred in order to give the students the experience of working outdoors as Lewis and Clark’s men had.
Activities include: Map and Compass, Measuring distance (using a surveyors chain (that the students will make) and ‘Dead Reckoning’), and Making rope. (All materials provided by Educational Expeditions) And, depending upon individual school policy, a demonstration of Fire Starting Techniques that were used by Lewis and Clark’s men (flint and steel kit and ‘burning glass’)(Outdoor demonstration ONLY!)
The day begins with ALL of the participating classes assembled to experience the slide presentation: A MODERN DAY ENCOUNTER WITH THE SANTA FE TRAIL (see program description below). This presentation is about 45 minutes in length with time at the end for audience questions.
After the slides, each class, or group of about 20 students each, will assemble (one group at a time) at the mock trail camp, LIFE ON THE TRAIL (see program description below), to learn more about 19th century trail life. Life On The Trail can be presented indoors or outdoors. Outdoors is preferred – weather (and temperature) permitting and/or space available by the hosting organization.
In a mock trail camp, you can see and hear about some of the clothing,
equipment, tools and food used along the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails
in the early 1800's. Les will take you through a "Typical" day on the
trail and explain some of the daily chores that were expected of the men, women
and children while on their journey.
Les Vilda's personal experiences on the Santa Fe Trail in 1984 and 1987
combine with historical facts in a narrative slide presentation. Les compares the
modes of transportation, clothing and food he used as an 1800's re-enactor with
the items used by actual trail travelers of the 19th century. Many historical
sites found along the trail are examined as well as many of the
"Signs", both old and new, that mark the trail.
From Three Forks, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri, this slide presentation
will take you on a 2500 mile journey down the Missouri River. Learn the history
of the river, from the days of Lewis and Clark, fur trappers, and explorers, to
the days of river channelization and hydro-electric power. Listen to the
adventures of a modern day canoer as you enjoy the beautiful sights of this
magnificent river.
Explore the world of plants as seen through the eyes of the Plains Indians
and the early trail travelers crossing the prairie. Find out which plants were
used for food, tools, games, toys and more. Dried plant specimens are used in
the presentation to show what the plants look like and to point out their
useable parts.
Lecture - Demonstration: Learn how ropes were made with a homemade, hand cranked, rope machine. The style of machine used in this presentation was used from pre-1700 through the early 1900's. The learning is enhanced by actual "hands-on" experience in producing a piece of rope. Rope fibers, styles of machines, and uses for rope are topics also covered.
Make your own Jumprope: With this option,
I set up the rope making machine, I string up the twine and colored yarn (the
customer gets to choose one from the at least 6 different available colors), and
the customer cranks the handle on the rope machine resulting in making their own
jumprope. The customer then gets to take the jumprope (1 rope per person)
home with them - free of charge to the customer, courtesy of the sponsoring
entity. I provide the rope making machine, all the rope making materials,
oodles of rope related stories (this usually helps entertain the customers
waiting in line), and answers to most all rope making questions from the
customers. This program is available for $350.00/day plus round trip mileage from Wilber, NE.
Bring a bit of history and fun to your next event. This show is a comedy spoof on the old original Medicine Shows of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Professor Kaun Ewebadd, the spokesperson for the Dr. Rabi’s Medicine and Invention Company, will serve as your host. The Professor encourages audience participation as he shares his magic, music, stories, jokes, and zany inventions. His “Special Medicines” are sure to tickle your funny bone.
The Professor puts on a
family show, so don’t be afraid to invite the kids.
CAUTION – This show has
been known to “dazzle” and “amaze” its audiences!
Laughter – It’s just
what the doctor ordered!
++PLUS - Mileage: 40 cents per mile round trip from Wilber, Nebraska (Organizations block booking programs split the mileage fee)
Contact Les for booking information.